FM 4 8 10 July Fri - Sun 256 226 185 Centre Level Date Course Title: Identifying Moths and Butterflies Days Sole occupancy cost Shared occupancy cost Non-Residential cost The location of many of John Constable s paintings, Flatford Mill runs over 120 Natural History and Arts courses in a unique and tranquil learning environment. Course Overview A weekend introducing the identification and natural history of one of the most attractive insect groups, using only live trapping techniques. Working through the moth catches in the mornings will be followed by butterfly identification in the afternoons. Local species include pine and privet hawk moths and white admiral and purple hairstreak butterflies. *MMU Course Description The proposed programme for the weekend is as follows: Friday evening - An illustrated talk on the biology and life-cycle of moths, followed by "sugaring" some of the riverside trees to attract various moths. Saturday - Emptying the MV trap that was run overnight on Valley Farm lawn, followed by a morning in the lab learning to identify the families and species of moths that we caught in the trap. In the afternoon, a trip to the delightful Stour Wood RSPB Reserve to look for butterflies (including White Admiral, Purple Hairstreak and Silverwashed Fritillary) and day-flying moths. Saturday evening - An illustrated talk on the biology and life-cycle of butterflies, followed by more moth-trapping. Sunday - Emptying the moth trap again, followed by another session in the lab working through our finds (or an ID test for students doing the accreditation). In the afternoon, a walk in the vicinity of the Centre and surrounding fields to look for more butterflies (including browns and skippers) and day-flying moths.
I d e n t i f y i n g M o t h s a n d B u t t e r f l i e s Accreditaion MMU = This is one of a series of courses run jointly with Manchester Metropolitan University. There is assessment of the course through, for example, identification tests, producing survey reports or field journals, working through keys and other various pieces of work. Credits from these assessments contribute towards the University Certificate in Biological Recording and Species Identification. To gain University Credits you must register in advance. To do this, please contact Emma Hopkisson on 01743 355137 at E.Hopkisson@mmu.ac.uk, or at: Division of Biology and Conservation Ecology Manchester Metropolitan University (Shrewsbury Office) The Gateway Shrewsbury Shropshire SY1 1NB The course is also suitable for non-credit students. Bookings are to be made via Manchester Metropolitan University at the above address. About the Tutor Sheila Wright is a natural history museum curator with a lifelong interest in moths and butterflies (and in the latter s chief predators - bats!). She is also a county moth recorder and is working on several projects involving the long-term population monitoring of these insects. Start and finish times Check in is available from 1600 on Friday, but the first formal activity is dinner at 1900 (with the bar open from 18:45!) followed by an evening classroom session. Residents: Please aim to arrive on Friday between 1600 and 1800 to allow us sufficient time to show you to your accommodation and around the communal areas. Non-residents: You do not need to arrive quite so early but please can you be here by 1800 as we need to show you the communal areas as well. The course ends at 1600 on Sunday.
I d e n t i f y i n g M o t h s a n d B u t t e r f l i e s What to Bring If you have any personal moth and butterfly books, a x10 hand lens, or mothcollecting pots, then do bring them along - although all of these will be available at the Centre for the beginner. ose-focusing binoculars, if you have them, are always useful for getting a good view of our more retiring butterflies -up work, if you are interested in the photography of moths and butterflies. otographs you have taken of moths and butterflies that you would like identified, or simply to share with other course members. a torch for the moth-trapping, plus a lunchbox, comfortable shoes and waterproof clothing (just in case!) for the excursions. The field excursions, whilst not strenuous, may involve circular walks of between two and three miles in order to see all of the target species. Participants will therefore need a reasonable degree of physical fitness. Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles, Bernard Skinner (Viking) - an excellent guide to the identification of the larger moths, but rather expensive. (Copies will be on hand at the Centre during the weekend.) The Hamlyn Guide to Butterflies of the British Isles, J A Thomas - a good pocket butterfly guide for the field. Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland, Paul Waring and Martin Townsend (British Wildlife Publications Revised Edition 2009, ISBN 9780953139989) Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Ireland, Richard Lewington (British Wildlife Publishing, 2003, ISBN 0-9531399-1-3) How to book Bookings can be made by telephoning the Centre; we are open 0930 1700 weekdays and most weekends. Alternatively, bookings can be made via our website: www.field-studies-council.org.
. Tel: 01206 297110 E-mail: enquiries.fm@field-studies-council.org Fax: 01206 298892